BEER IN A VAULT

NZ Truth, Issue 1208, 24 January 1929, Page 3

BEER IN A VAULT

Ghastly Desecration In Cemetery THREE COFFINS SMASHED OPEN (From "N.Z. Truth's" Melbourne Representative.)

Entering the vault which sheltered the remains of the Aroiytages at East Geelpng (Victoria), Cemetery, some ghouls slashed open three coffins, tore adrift «lectro-plate fittings, and scattered upon the floor bones which had been mouldering for many years m the leaden shells which enclosed the wooden caskets.

•THAN the Armytage" family there 1 are few better known m the Western District of Victoria, but there has ,not been a burial m the vault for 20 years. The vault itself is a massive structure m bluestone situated m the Anglican section of the cemetery. It is 12 feet deep and divided into eight compartments, each of which \ has a coffin. There are at present 15 coffins m this place of rest.

The horrible desecration of the vault was discoVered by the cemetery, sexton, H. Packham; who on making his rounds, noticed that the massive door was partly open

He had reason |_ - ' to regard this as peculiar, for only a few days previously, he had noticed that the door was ajar- and had fastened it. . The do.or is a~ freestone slab about six inches thick and- heavily braced and hinged, and, as far as ■is known, there has not -been a lock on«it at any time during the past two years. It has not been unusual to find tho door ajar on Monday mornings, and, until recently, this was regarded as being the result of visits by the idly curious who desired to see what the interior looked like. After his last experience, however* Packham considered that a closer investigation was warranted, and on entering the vauit he- found a scene of shocking violation of the sacred relics. A number of the wooden coverings had been stripped from $he coffins, which "would licit hay»;

Coverings Stripped

been a hard task owing to the age of the wood, and electro -plated candles and fittings and electroplate handles and plates removed. In two cases the leaden shells had been slashed open with a knife, and the bones within, scattered upon the ground.' - . For years there has been a rumor current m the district that it was the custom of the Armytages to bury with their dead the jewels worn by them m life. How the rumor arose it is difficult to say, for "Truth" knows that there was not the, slightest foundation for it. In the course of their .investigations detectives made

the startling: dis- ! covery that this vault sho\ye.d evidences of liquor having been consumed there. ".. " . ; How this' could be without the cemetery authorities becoming aware of what was going on it is difficult . to say^ but the fact remains that the indications of o desecration m this manner were" all too prevalent... ■ It is one of the most reyoltirig instances of callous disregard of the feelings .of relatives that' has ever come under notice.